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Diane Abbott’s leadership ambitions have stepped up, not only has she topped polls she is regularly cited as being the best received at local party hustings.

She is still the outsider but that position has allowed her to influence the shape of the leadership debate by raising topics such as civil liberties or the war on Iraq.

Writing today for the pro Labour website LabourList Diane sets out exactly why she wants to be leader:

“Labour needs to be the party that listens to voters again and we need to listen to our members again. Mrs Duffy wasn’t angry because Gordon disagreed with her, she was angry because he disrespected and dismissed her. For the last 13 years the Government has seemed distant and impenetrable, Labour Party members have been frustrated at their inability to influence policy.

I want a party that values the views of our membership and the public not one that ‘cherry picks’ issues to consult or stifles genuine conference debate. I want open democracy.”

Diane’s new website and the seriousness she now takes her web operation – she managed her campaign’s Twitter account personally – have raised expectations about her attempt to steer the party in a new direction.